On Monday, 19 January, South Africa awoke to horror: a scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark claimed 13 young lives. The twisted wreckage spoke louder than words — survival itself was a miracle, though the scars will remain forever. One mother, grieving her only child, who had boarded scholar transport for the very first time, collapsed mid-sentence as grief overtook her.
This tragedy is not an isolated event. It is a mirror held up to our society, exposing how we have normalised unsafe, undignified transport for our children.
The daily reality
Every morning, the soundtrack of scholar transport blares across our streets — deafening music, laughter, and dancing in the backs of bakkies. Benches go unused as children stand, swaying dangerously while the driver speeds ahead. This has become the trademark of modern scholar transport: unsafe, noisy, and careless.
Parents, do we realise what this means for our children’s future?
The hidden cost of noise
* Medical experts warn that excessive noise exposure in children can cause:
* Permanent hearing loss
* Delayed speech and language development
* Poor academic performance
* Stress, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating
* Social isolation due to communication struggles
* Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible. Once gone, it cannot be restored.
Careers closed forever
By tolerating this, we unknowingly shut doors for our children. Professions that demand excellent hearing include:
* Doctors, nurses, and surgeons
* Lawyers and judges
* Teachers and lecturers
* Pilots and air traffic controllers
* Musicians, broadcasters, and sound engineers
* Police officers and firefighters
Without good hearing, these futures vanish before they even begin.
What must be done?
The Venda proverb says: “Nwana a sa lili u fela ngozwini” — the child who does not cry dies in the cradle. Our children cannot cry out for themselves. We must raise our voices.
We must demand:
* Safe, roadworthy vehicles — not bakkies with canvases
* Reasonable passenger limits, with children seated
* An end to blasting music that endangers hearing and distracts drivers
* Dignity and discipline in transporting our future leaders
If we fail, we will continue to bury children lost to preventable tragedies. If we act, we can transform scholar transport from moving coffins into safe vessels of hope.
Closing call
This is not just a story. It is a call to action. Parents, communities, and leaders must unite to protect our children. Their lives, futures, and dreams depend on it.